Teresa Carpenter - Stolen Kiss From a Prince

Unfortunately Julian Ettenburl didn’t quite fit that picture. Warm and loving were not words she’d use to describe him. Cold and stoic fit him better. And impatient. Though that was more a feeling than anything he did.

His utter stillness revealed nothing of what he felt, nor did his fine-hewed features or his intelligent hazel eyes under straight brown eyebrows. His brother was touted as the handsome one, being blond and eye-catching. A soldier in the royal corps, he was seen as a man of action, a man in control. The world viewed him as a true Prince Charming.

Julian was darker, his features more defined, his demeanor more brooding, a testament to his preference to shun the limelight. Having seen them both, Katrina found the younger brother more attractive if infinitely less charming. She ducked her head, not that she had any interest in him, or in any man.

She had little doubt the dark prince would wield his considerable power and influence to find his brother. Sammy, however, might get lost in the shuffle as his uncle concentrated on the bigger goal.

“A bit of a concussion for both of you.” The doctor sat back and regarded her and Sammy. “And you’re both exhausted. I recommend twenty-four hours rest at the minimum.”

“Can he travel, Doctor?” Julian asked, squaring his shoulders into an even-sharper line. “He can rest on the train.”

Katrina tensed at the suggestion. Sammy stirred against her, and she patted him softly, adjusting so she covered his ear with one hand while lightly running her fingers through his hair with the other. Surely the man didn’t intend taking Sammy tonight?

“Your Highness, I understand your urgency to return to France and the search for your brother, but the boy is traumatized. He was told his parents weren’t coming back.”

At this news amber eyes met hers, his disapproval drilling deep into her. No question who he blamed. She swallowed hard but refused to look away.

The doctor went on. “Sammy is in distress. The staff has done their best, especially Katrina, but he’s slept and eaten little since news of the crash reached us. With the addition of this head injury, I highly doubt he’ll get the proper rest he needs on the train.”

“Julian—” Bernadette moved to the prince’s side “—we have rooms ready for you. Why not stay the night and see how Sammy is in the morning? The early train is at eight, not too big a delay.”

No mention was made that if the inclement weather continued, travel might be impeded. There was no need. It didn’t take a genius to figure the odds, and it was well-known that Julian Ettenburl was off-the-charts smart. Yet after only a few minutes in his presence Katrina saw he wasn’t a people person.

Why ever had he been the one to come for Sammy?

She supposed it spoke well of him. But not if he insisted on making the child travel before he was ready. A glance from the Princess had Katrina biting back her opinion.

He showed some sense when he nodded at Bernadette. “We shall stay the night. Though I would like Samson with me.”

“Of course.” Bernadette readily agreed as she sent Katrina a hopeful glance. “Your suite has two rooms. I’ll have a crib set up in the second bedroom.”

“Thank you. You are most gracious.”

“I do hope you’ll join us for dinner. Jean Claude has been closely monitoring the rescue operations. I know he would welcome a chance to speak with you.”

“As I would him.” The Prince sighed, showing the first sign of weariness. “Actually, I find I’m quite famished.”

“Then we shall dine.” She hooked her arm through his and drew him toward the door. “Our chef will be pleased with the opportunity to impress you. Unless you’d prefer to freshen up first?”

“No, that is fine.” He paused to nod at Tessa. “Please see Samson settled into my rooms.” His critical gaze slid over Katrina. “I prefer you resume his care.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Tessa bowed her head in acquiescence.

Heat flooded Katrina’s cheeks at his obvious censure. Arrogant beast. She was happy to see the back of him as Princess Bernadette led Prince Julian from the room.

Tears stung the back of her eyes. Exhaustion, she knew. She didn’t usually let attitude get to her. She lived in a world of royalty, worked in the palace, where arrogance and entitlement were practically job requirements. She’d learned long ago not to let it bother her.

Tonight, as she fought to keep her eyes open, it hurt.

Dr. Lambert righted her when she listed to the side. “My dear, you need to find your bed.”

“Oui.” Oh how she craved her own bed. But first she’d see to Sammy, despite his uncle’s wishes. She wouldn’t let his poor behavior dictate hers.

“Good, you’re going to be sensible. Just as well you live here in the palace. With the concussion, you’ll need someone to check on you periodically through the night.”

She’d like nothing more than to follow the doctor’s orders and head to her room, but in the past few days Sammy had stolen a part of her heart. He’d brought her back to life. She couldn’t rest until she knew he was settled for the night.

“What about Sammy?” Tessa asked. “Should I wake him during the night?”

“Yes. Wake him and check his pupils. If you notice any oddities or if he starts vomiting, call for me.”

Tessa nodded and reached for the sleeping Sammy. He awoke with a jerk and shrank away from his nanny with a weak cry.

Katrina stood, cradling him to her chest. He subsided against her, closing his eyes. “I will carry Sammy to the Prince’s rooms and see him settled.”

Tessa blocked her way. The nanny looked down her nose at Katrina. “I’ll take him.”

She eyed the taller, thinner woman. It hadn’t skipped Katrina’s notice the other woman had kept her silence when the Prince focused his blame on Katrina for Tessa’s lapse of judgment in telling Sammy of his parents’ disappearance. In Katrina’s opinion, the woman was showing no better sense now than she had before.

“I do not think so.” She moved to walk around the woman.

Again Tessa stepped into her path. “His Highness made it clear he wishes me to resume my duties. He will expect me to deliver Sammy to his rooms.”

Sighing Katrina shifted Sammy in her arms, his deadweight beginning to weigh on her. “Look, I am too tired to deal with a crying fit because you want to impress the Prince. He is not even in his rooms. Let me put Sammy down. We all know he is more likely to go back to sleep if I do it.”

“Sammy is my responsibility.” Tessa continued to protest.

“And in a minute I am going to give him to you and go to bed.” In no mood to argue, Katrina pushed past the woman. Sometimes exhaustion had its advantages. “Think about it. Would you prefer Prince Julian come back to a sleeping child or one awake and wailing in misery?”

Tessa had no response for Katrina’s challenge because they both knew she spoke the truth. Which didn’t mean Tessa accepted it graciously. As they fell into step behind the porter showing them to Prince Julian’s rooms, every click of her heels shouted her dissent.

Let her sulk. It was Sammy Katrina cared about. Her head throbbed and her arms began to burn, but one look down at his innocent, tearstained face gave her the strength to continue on. In the end they arrived at the suite before the crib did, and she gratefully sank into a blue silk tufted chair.

The room, a lavish display of antique elegance in blue and gold, reminded Katrina of what she loved about the palace. Tradition and longevity were built right into the brick and mortar of the royal home. She remembered coming here with her father as a child and thinking the palace was the most beautiful place on earth. She’d had so much fun with the other kids in the nursery she’d told papa she wanted to come back and live here someday.